Those who took the stage Saturday afternoon at Redbud Park to talk about North Topeka’s transformation recalled the people and years of hard work that made the area’s NOTO Arts & Entertainment District possible. “The NOTO Arts & Entertainment District is a prime example of a community coming together to do so much,” said Anita Wolgast, one of the founding co-chairs of the district’s board of directors. Wolgast was one of about half a dozen people who spoke before a crowd at Redbud Park Saturday afternoon to commemorate a decade of the NOTO arts district.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

The NOTO Arts and Entertainment District is known for a lot: it is the home of several artists, First Friday Art Walks, The Wheel Barrel, Redbud Park, its history and its murals. There are many murals painted through the district. Some seem to be placed in certain spots specifically, while others seem to be there because the wall offered a nice home. Regardless, the variety of murals gives NOTO its own uniqueness that can’t be found anywhere else in Topeka, and a sense of community can be found behind each one.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

Glenda DuBoise wants a Topeka community that can always say it feels safe. As a longtime community advocate, and most recently as the executive director of the Topeka Center for Peace and Justice, DuBoise said she often hears people say that they don’t feel safe in certain parts of town, pointing to gun violence in the community. It’s a perception that has to change, DuBoise said, and to do that, the Topeka community has to work toward addressing some of the underlying community issues and divides that lead to violence. That’s why the Center for Peace and Justice — which is committed to advocating for equality, peace and justice for all — is spearheading a program called Strategies Against Violence Everywhere, in partnership with other area social agencies and community leaders.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal